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Economy of Ghana vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $577B for Thailand, ranking 69/197 and 30/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $373B (64.7% of GDP) in Thailand.

Ghana vs Thailand GDP by year

Ghana
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Thailand
2025 $114,209,905,279 $577,009,981,112
2024 $83,288,585,604 $529,385,520,942
2023 $80,547,146,876 $517,013,369,475
2022 $73,919,003,212 $495,691,837,308
2021 $79,514,204,730 $506,049,783,825
2020 $70,008,243,860 $500,274,927,779
2019 $68,352,629,246 $543,976,691,794
2018 $67,259,353,966 $506,754,208,404
2017 $60,385,409,435 $456,356,813,537
2016 $56,144,179,398 $413,366,349,748
2015 $49,436,806,230 $401,296,238,228
2014 $54,678,533,806 $407,339,040,198
2013 $62,845,721,960 $420,333,654,593
2012 $41,271,701,061 $397,558,325,279
2011 $39,336,668,081 $370,818,739,624
2010 $32,197,655,567 $341,104,766,329
2009 $26,048,720,006 $281,710,630,187
2008 $28,679,383,241 $291,382,982,431
2007 $24,827,339,138 $262,942,621,455
2006 $20,885,037,597 $221,758,296,022
2005 $10,744,568,381 $189,318,408,469
2004 $8,881,417,907 $172,895,685,155
2003 $7,632,723,556 $152,280,615,246
2002 $6,166,197,848 $134,300,904,400
2001 $5,314,872,854 $120,296,476,180
2000 $4,982,850,662 $126,392,224,254
1999 $7,718,109,982 $126,669,211,779
1998 $7,482,069,162 $113,675,596,788
1997 $6,891,443,192 $150,180,456,566
1996 $6,932,991,739 $183,035,237,429
1995 $6,464,382,808 $169,278,916,593
1994 $5,446,383,727 $146,683,778,959
1993 $5,968,922,939 $128,889,262,951
1992 $6,416,103,926 $111,452,746,518
1991 $6,603,185,268 $98,234,714,971
1990 $5,889,106,573 $85,343,190,719
1989 $5,251,858,440 $72,250,748,100
1988 $5,197,765,032 $61,667,253,471
1987 $5,074,829,932 $50,535,446,555
1986 $5,735,677,434 $43,096,773,981
1985 $4,504,306,723 $38,900,711,333
1984 $4,412,279,843 $41,797,647,776
1983 $4,057,275,132 $40,042,798,388
1982 $4,035,994,398 $36,589,772,404
1981 $4,222,441,860 $34,846,039,194
1980 $4,445,228,216 $32,353,514,989
1979 $4,020,227,920 $27,371,650,825
1978 $3,662,478,185 $24,006,566,637
1977 $3,189,428,571 $19,779,312,261
1976 $2,765,254,237 $16,985,208,648
1975 $2,810,106,383 $14,882,770,594
1974 $2,894,409,938 $13,702,998,512
1973 $3,006,766,758 $10,838,587,358
1972 $2,112,293,280 $8,177,873,151
1971 $2,417,108,578 $7,375,000,024
1970 $2,215,028,588 $7,086,538,438
1969 $1,962,050,556 $6,695,336,567
1968 $1,666,909,518 $6,081,009,428
1967 $1,747,187,645 $5,638,461,442
1966 $2,126,300,672 $5,279,230,817
1965 $2,053,462,968 $4,388,937,649
1964 $1,731,296,200 $3,889,129,942
1963 $1,540,797,589 $3,540,403,457
1962 $1,382,515,654 $3,308,912,797
1961 $1,302,674,325 $3,034,037,811
1960 $1,217,230,095 $2,760,750,861

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/thailand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Thailand by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $8,057 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $7,387 $24,712
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $7,211 $23,519
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $6,910 $22,243
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $7,055 $20,243
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $6,983 $19,164
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $906 $3,103 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $479 $2,904 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $406 $2,729 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $358 $2,584 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $403 $2,239 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $400 $2,167 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $378 $2,097 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $389 $2,026 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $372 $1,947 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $321 $1,875 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $360 $1,821 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $396 $1,739 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $418 $1,678 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $383 $1,581 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $350 - $1,342 -
1988 $355 - $1,164 -
1987 $355 - $970 -
1986 $411 - $842 -
1985 $330 - $774 -
1984 $330 - $847 -
1983 $311 - $827 -
1982 $319 - $770 -
1981 $344 - $748 -
1980 $372 - $709 -
1979 $347 - $612 -
1978 $326 - $548 -
1977 $292.3 - $462 -
1976 $261 - $405 -
1975 $273 - $364 -
1974 $289.4 - $343 -
1973 $310 - $278.3 -
1972 $223.8 - $215.6 -
1971 $263.4 - $199.7 -
1970 $248.2 - $197.1 -
1969 $225.8 - $191.4 -
1968 $196.7 - $178.8 -
1967 $211.2 - $170.7 -
1966 $263.3 - $164.5 -
1965 $260.5 - $140.9 -
1964 $225 - $128.6 -
1963 $205 - $120.7 -
1962 $188.4 - $116.2 -
1961 $181.9 - $109.7 -
1960 $174.9 - $102.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/thailand | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $8,057 in Thailand, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Ghana Thailand
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$577B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
30/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
2.44%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$8,057
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
97/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$373B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
64.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$5,211
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
83/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$7,438
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
$512B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
26%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
23%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
-0.13%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
0.6%
2025
Population
36032857
71565981

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 23% 64.7%
2024 22% 70.3% 22.6% 62.9%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 22.7% 62.2%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 26.8% 58.4%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 20.9% 62% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 17.6% 57% 21.6% 41.8%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 21% 50.1% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 19% 32.9% 22% 39.8%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 20% 36%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 12% 74.5% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 12% 45.2% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 18% 15.2%
1995 13% 47.6% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 16% 6.69%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 17% 14.1%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 16.6% 18%
1989 7.24% 23% 16.5% 23.7%
1988 7.23% 23.5% 15.1% 30.3%
1987 7.32% 26.8% 17.5% 38.8%
1986 7.29% 18.2% 19.5% 40.1%
1985 6.08% 14.4% 20.5% 36.8%
1984 4.64% 13% 19.3% 30.6%
1983 3.49% 9.21% 19.5% 28.9%
1982 4.73% 8.51% 20.2% 27.1%
1981 5.74% 8.77% 19.1% 24.4%
1980 7.51% 9.75% 18.7% 22.1%
1979 9.14% 11.5% 16.9% 23.7%
1978 6.54% 11.4% 16.6% 22.8%
1977 10.5% 20.7% 16.1% 22.4%
1976 12.8% 26% 15.6% 22%
1975 13.2% 21.8% 14.2% 15.8%
1974 9.52% 21.8% 13.2% 16.3%
1973 9.35% 25.4% 15.9% 21.2%
1972 11.4% 29.8% 18.5% 26.8%
1971 11.7% 29.5% 18.8% 21.5%
1970 12.2% 31.9% 17.6% 18.5%
1969 11.2% 31.4% 15.9% 17.7%
1968 12.3% 34.5% 16% 15.5%
1967 11.5% 33.9% 15.5% 15%
1966 9.12% 29.8% 14.7% 14.4%
1965 14.2% 30.2% 14.7% 14.8%
1964 15.8% 30.8% 13.3% 13.3%
1963 15.3% 30.5% 12% 12.6%
1962 12.5% 11.8% 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/thailand | CC BY

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $133B, or 23% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 64.7% in Thailand, ranking 108/185 and 67/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Thailand
2025 -1.35% -1.91%
2024 -6.23% -1.29%
2023 -3.37% -1.91%
2022 -11.8% -4.61%
2021 -12% -6.72%
2020 -17.4% -4.47%
2019 -7.52% 0.43%
2018 -6.79% 0.2%
2017 -3.97% -0.51%
2016 -6.75% 0.41%
2015 -4.01% 0.19%
2014 -7.81% -0.7%
2013 -9.12% 0.6%
2012 -8.36% -0.86%
2011 -5.47% 0.09%
2010 -7.13% -1.07%
2009 -5.05% -2.21%
2008 -5.56% 0.8%
2007 -4.91% 0.22%
2006 -3.11% 1.87%
2005 -1.87% 2.17%
2004 -2.02% 1.11%
2003 -1.99% 1.98%
2002 -2.73% -6.72%
2001 -3.64% -1.77%
2000 -3.98% -1.79%
1999 -5.64% -9.02%
1998 -5.27% -6.29%
1997 -6.14% -1.68%
1996 -5.61% 2.75%
1995 -4.52% 3.05%
1994 -4.99% 2.78%
1993 -5.39% 6.67%
1992 -4.5% -0.18%
1991 -1.47% 1.6%
1990 -1.93% 1.41%
1989 -0.81% 0.16%
1988 -1.08% 0.58%
1987 -0.92% -2.38%
1986 -1.26% -4.32%
1985 -1.19% -5.11%
1984 -0.98% -3.85%
1983 -1.13% -4.02%
1982 -2.03% -6.18%
1981 -3.8% -4.07%
1980 -4.73% -4.41%
1979 -3.61% -3.62%
1978 -1.21% -3.31%
1977 -4.68% -2.91%
1976 -5.53% -3.35%
1975 -4.05% -1.73%
1974 -2.06% 1.29%
1973 -2.64% -2.7%
1972 -2.19% -4.81%
1971 0.13% -5.47%
1970 -2.35% -3.73%
1969 -2.67% -2.53%
1968 -2.34% -2.79%
1967 -2.32% -2.1%
1966 -1.29% -1.13%
1965 -3.29% -1.05%
1964 -3.72% -1.01%
1963 -5.66% -0.81%
1962 -5.04% -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/thailand | CC BY

In 2025, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.54B, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Thailand's deficit of $11B, or 1.91% of GDP.

Over the past 64 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 63 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 43 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.58% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Thailand
2025 14.2% -0.13%
2024 22.8% 0.4%
2023 38.1% 1.23%
2022 31.3% 6.08%
2021 9.97% 1.23%
2020 9.89% -0.85%
2019 7.14% 0.71%
2018 7.81% 1.07%
2017 12.4% 0.66%
2016 17.5% 0.19%
2015 17.1% -0.9%
2014 15.5% 1.89%
2013 11.7% 2.19%
2012 11.2% 3.01%
2011 8.73% 3.81%
2010 10.7% 3.25%
2009 19.2% -0.85%
2008 16.5% 5.47%
2007 10.7% 2.24%
2006 11.7% 4.64%
2005 15.4% 4.54%
2004 18% 2.76%
2003 29.8% 1.8%
2002 9.36% 0.7%
2001 41.5% 1.63%
2000 40.2% 1.59%
1999 4.87% 0.28%
1998 14.6% 7.99%
1997 27.9% 5.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 2.15% in Thailand. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and -0.13% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $213M
Metals $1.74M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $722K
Wood & paper products $93K
Precious metals & jewellery $82K
Machinery & equipment $60K
Animal & marine products $34K
Raw agricultural goods $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $49M
Machinery & equipment $39.9M
Chemicals & pharma $26.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.9M
Raw materials & minerals $19.4M
Metals $14.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.84M
Wood & paper products $3.14M
Miscellaneous $1.68M
Animal & marine products $30K

Balance of trade

Ghana Thailand
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$15.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
20/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+2.76%
2025
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$312B
2025
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$335B
2025
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$77.2B
2025
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$76.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
67.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
71.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Ghana Thailand
Economic freedom 57.3 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 88/197
Property rights 50.2 41.8
Government integrity 45.4 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 35
Tax burden 79.4 80.8
Government spending 84 83.6
Fiscal health 10.1 81
Business freedom 64.5 69.9
Labor freedom 54.9 56.4
Monetary freedom 56.7 73.3
Trade freedom 65.2 70.2
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Thailand
2026 57.3 62.2
2025 56 60.6
2024 55.8 59
2023 58 60.6
2022 59.8 63.2
2021 59.2 69.7
2020 59.4 69.4
2019 57.5 68.3
2018 56 67.1
2017 56.2 66.2
2016 63 63.9
2015 63 62.4
2014 64.2 63.3
2013 61.3 64.1
2012 60.7 64.9
2011 59.4 64.7
2010 60.2 64.1
2009 58.1 63
2008 57 62.3
2007 57.6 63.5
2006 55.6 63.3
2005 56.5 62.5
2004 59.1 63.7
2003 58.2 65.8
2002 57.2 69.1
2001 58 68.9
2000 58.1 66.6
1999 57.9 66.9
1998 57 67.3
1997 56.7 66.1
1996 57.7 71
1995 55.6 71.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/thailand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Thailand
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
60.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
31.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
8.75%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$551B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$25,570
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$282B
2025
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
15/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$9.51B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
3.51%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
22.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/thailand | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.